Always order * ' PEIVITT'S ' * Acting Plays. 

PRICE 15 CENTS. 



^ BE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. "3^ 

(Nvim.l>er 335.) 



C7) V— 



TRUE! 

A Play, 

IN ONE ACT. 

By E. ALLEN LAIDLAW. 



TOGETHER WITH 



A Description of tlie Costumes — Cast of tlie Cliaracters— Entrances 

iuid Exits— Relative Positions of tlie Performers on the 

Stage — and tbe wliole of the Stage Business. 




"gm fork : 
DE WITT. PUBLISHER 



No. 33 Rose Street. 



-^€^ 




NOW 
READT 



I 



W A COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF DE WIH'S ACTINQ 
PLAYS, AND DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS, containii^ 
Plots. Costume, Scenery. Time of Representation, and every other informa- 
tion, mailed free and post-paid. 



IDE ^\^ITT'S 

ETHIOPIAN km COMIC DRAMA. 



Nothing so thorough and completo in the way of Ethiopian and Comic Dramas has ever 
been printed as thoBO that appear iu the following list. Is'ot only are the idiots excellent, the 
characters droll, the incidents funny, the language humorous, but all the situations.^jy-play, 
positions, pantomimic business, scenery, and triclis are so plainly set down and clearly 
explained that the merest novice coiUd put any of them on the stage. Included iu this | 
Catalogue are all the most laughable and effective pieces of their class ever i^rodncod. 

'*.^* In ordering i^lease copy the figures at the commencement of each piece, which 
indicate the number of the piece in " Ce 'U'itt's Ethiopian akd Comic Deajia." 

jOtS=" Auy of the following Plays sent, postage free, on receipt of price — Fifteen Cents 
each. 

JCty The figure following tha name of the Play denotes the number of Acts. The 
figures in the columns indicate the number of characters— II. male; F. female. 



M. F. 
141. Absent Minded, Ethiopian farce, 1 

act 3 1 

73. African Bos, burlesque 2 scenes. . . 5 

107. Africanas Bluebeard, musical Ethi- 

opian burlesque, 1 scene 2 

113. Ambition, farce, 2 scenes... 7 

133. Awful Plot (An) Ethiopian farce, la. 3 1 
43. Baby Elephant, sketch, 2 scenes. . . 7 1 
42. Bad Wliiskey, Irish sketch, 1 scene. 2 1 
7S>. Barney's Courtship, musical inter- 
lude, 1 act 1 2 

40. Big Mistake, sketch, 1 scene 4 

6. Black Chap from Whitechapel, Ne- 
gro piece 4 

10. Black Chemist, sketch, 1 scene 3 

11. Black-Ev'd WilUam,sketoh,2 scenes 4 1 
146. Black Forrest (Tho),Ethiopian farce, 

1 act 2 1 

110. Black Magician (De), Ethiopian com- 
icality 4 2 

126 Black Statue (The). Nagro farce 4 2 

127. Blinks and Jinks, Ethiopian sketch. 3 1 

128. Boboliuo, the Black Bandit, Ethio- 

pian m\isical farce, 1 act 2 1 

120. Body Suatchers (The), Negro sketch, 

2 scenes 3 1 

78. Boi;\is Indiau, sketch, 4 scenes 5 2 

89. Bogus Talking Machine (The), farce, 

1 scene 4 

24. Bruised and Cured, sketch, 1 scene. 2 

108. Ciiarge of the Hash Brigade, comic 

Irish musical sketch 2 2 

148. Christmas Eve iu the South, Ethio- 
pian farce, 1 act 6 2 

35. Coal Heaver's Rdvenge.Negro sketch. 

1 scene ' 6 

112. Coming Man (The). Ethiopian sketch, 

2 scenes 3 1 

41. Cremation, sketch, 2 scenes 8 1 

144. Crowded Hotel (The), sketch, 1 sc. 4 1 
140. Cupid's Frolics, sketch. 1 scene. ... 5 1 

12 Daguerreotypes, sketch. 1 scene 3 

53. Damon and Pythias, burlesque, 2 sc. 5 1 
63. Darkey's Stratagem, skptcli. 1 scene 3 1 
131. Davkey Sleep Walker (The), Ethio- 
pian sketch, 1 scene '. . . 3 1 i 



M. F. 
1-4. Deaf aa a Post, Ethiopian sketch.. . . 2 
111. Deeds of Darkness, Ethiopian ex- 
travaganza, 1 act 6 1 

139. Desperate Situation (A), farce, 1 sc. 5 2 
CO. Draft (The), sketch, 2 scenes 6 

04. Dutchman's Ghost, 1 scene 4 1 

05. Dutch Justice, laughable sketch, 

1 scene H 

67. Editor's Troubles, farce, 1 scene.. . 6 

4. Eh ? What is it ? sketch 4 1 

133. Election Day, Ethiopian farce, 2 sc. 6 1 
98. Elopement (The), farce, 2 scenes. .. 4 1 

52. Excise Trials, sketch, 1 scene 10 1 

25. Fellow that Looks like Me, inter- 
lude, 1 scene 2 1 

88. First Night (The), Dutch farce. 1 act 4 2 
51. Fisherman's Luck, sketch, 1 scene. 2 
152. Fun in a Cooper's Shop, Ethiopian 

sketch 6 

106. Gambrinus. King of Lager Beer, 

Ethiopian burlesque, 2 scenes ... 8 1 
83. German Emigrant (The), sketch. Isc. 2 2 
77. Getting Square on the Call Boy, 

sketch, 1 scene 3 

17. Ghost (The). Sketch, 1 act 2 

58. Ghost in a Pawn Shop, sketch. 1 sc-. 4 

31. Glycerine Oil, sketch. 2 scenes 3 

20. Going for the Cnp, interlude 4 

82. Good Night's Best, sketch, 1 scene. 3 
130. Go and get Tight, Ethiopian sketch, 

Iscene 6 

86. Gripsack, sketch. 1 scene. 3 

70. Guide to the Stage, sketch 3 

01. Happy Couple. 1 scene 2 1 

142. Happy Uncle Eufus, Ethiopian mu- 
sical sketch, 1 scene 1 1 

23. Hard Times, extravaganza. 1 scene. 5 1 
118. Helen's Funny Babies, burlesque. 

1 act 6 

3. Hemmed In. sketch 3 1 

48. High Jack, the Heeler, sketch, 1 sc. 6 

68. Hippotheatron. sketch 9 

150. How to Pay the Rent, fnrcp. 1 scene 6 

71. In .and Out. sketch, 1 scetio 2 

123 Intelligence Office (The), Ethiopian 

sketch, 1 scene 2 1 



TRUE! 



An Entirely Hew Ofnd Orlfinal Play. 



IN ONE ACT. 



F. ALLAN LAIDLAW. 



TOGETHER WITH 

L DESCRIPTION OF THE COSTUMES CAST OF THE CHABACTEES— < 

ENTRANCES AND EXITS RELATIVE POSITIONS OF THE 

PEEFORMERS ON THE STAGE, AND THE WHOLE OJt 
THE STAGE BDSINJESS. 






NEW YORK: 

DEWITT, PUBLISHER, 

No. 33 Rose Street. 

Cbpyright, 188*, by A, T. B. Dk WlTTl 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 

Ernest Wilding, (aged 30,). PS Z. 3 ^ 

Fred Hawthorne, (aged 25,) an Engineer, / o* (9 ^ 

Mr. Careful,, (aged 60,) a Lawyer. ) J ^ "^ 

Alice Fairfax, (aged 22.) "2^ ^ *-" ' 
Mrs. FAlEFAi, (aged 50.) 



TIME OP PLAYING— TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES. 



SCENERY. 

Scene. — Morning Room of Mrs. Fairfax's House at Brifjhtort. 
French windows, c, in bock, opening on to balcony. View of sea and sky 
beyond. Doors R. u. E. and L. u. E. Fireplace R. 2 E. Modestly fur- 
nished in modern style. Alice discovered seated by fireplace at work. 



COSTUMES. 

Irnest Wilding. — Very fashionable street snit. 
Fred. Hawthorne. — Neat, .substantial, travelling suit. 
Mr. Careful. — Plain, respectable suit. 
Alice.— (^xiiet, but tasteful attire. 
Mrs. Fairfax.— Handsome dress ; but neither new nor fashionable. 



PMOPEETIES. 

Needlework, for Alice ; beU, for Mrs. Fairfax ; letter, for Alice ; letter for 
Ernest. 



STAGE DIRECTIONS. 

U means Right of Stage, facing the Audience ; L. Left ; C. Centre ; R. C. Right 
eiitre ; L. C. Left of Centre. D. F. Door in the Flat, or Scene riinning across 
ilio l>ack of the Stage; C. D. F. Ceulro Door in the Flat; R. D. P. Right Door in 
the Plat; L. D. F. Left Door in the Flat; R. D. Right Door; L. D. Left Door; 1 E 
First Entrance ; 2 E. Second Entrance ; U. E. Upper Entrance ; 1, 2 or 3 G. First 
Second or Third Gi-oove. 
R- R. C. C. L. C. I* 

Si;^ The reader is supposed to be upon the stage facing the audience. 



TMPSb- 06^39 



TRUE. 



Scene. — Morning Room of Mrs. Fairfax's House at Brighton. 
French windows, c, in hack, opening on to balcony. View of sea and sky 
lei/ond. Doors R. u. E. and h. u. E. Fireplace R. 2 E. Mndestlii fur- 
nished i)i modern style. Alice discovered seated hij fireplace at work. 

Alice. Another weary day to get through, with its heavy burden 
of suspense. Each morning 1 await tlie postman with renewed hope, 
only to be disappointed. I must be very foolisli; but my heart gi-ows 
faint with this sickening alternation of feverisli expectation and ter- 
rible despair. I cannot lix my mind upon anytliing. (Puts her work 
on tlie table). Not a line comes to cheer my heart under its load of 
solitude and persecution. Does love make one selfish, I wonder'? If 
Fred only knew what I suffer. Yet of course he cannot know ; he may 
be suffering himself, poor fellow. He may be sick or shipwrecked. 
It is the suspense which is so unendurable. He always used to write 
so regularly. Here I have tlie last letter I received from liim six 
montlis ago : — " My own love, you cannot conceive what a comfort the 
knowledge of your pure affection is to me in this strange country. 
Although I am too hard worked to have time to feel dull, still if I had 
not the thought of your love to sustain me, I feel I should not have 
the spirit and heart in my labors which I liave now. The scenery of 
this counti'y is singularly impressive, though I have few opportunities 
of exploration. All ray thoughts are bent upon giving satisfaction to 
my employers, and so securing for myself the means by which I may 
hope to maintain you ever near me. This object once atta ined, I shall 
possess as high and perfect a happiness as a man may hope for in this 
life." What a manly letter, and how proud I am to have the love of 
such a man! My most precious possession is this miniature which he 
gave me. That frank open face, with its firm and even grave ex- 
pression, appeals to my heart irresistibly. I cannot doubt him: never 
as long as I live can I question his love or his faith, the clear, piercing 
look of his honest eyes when he plighted his troth to me, can never 
fade from my memory. Still I do long for some news of him. (I'akes 
up her work again). 

Enter Mrs. Fairfax r. u. e. 

Mrs. F. "What! still sitting moping over that miserable pretence 
for work. Why don't you set about something useful ? Or Pettier 



still, why don't you go out for a walk, and get some natural color back 
to your pale cheeks? Why don't you take your mother's advice f Don't 
you tliink I have your truest interests at heart? I only wish to settle 
you comfortably in life. What's the good of your pining and fretting 
after a harum-scarum young fellow, who evidently cares very little 
about you. and wlio at any rate ean do nothing for you except smother 
your beauty in shaV)by gentility? 

Alice. Dear mother, why will you say these things to me? You 
were not always so bitter against poor Fred. It is hard to turn upon 
him in his absence; besides, he loves me, and I cannot but be true 
to him. 

Mrs. F. Fiddlestick! loves you? How long does a man's love last 
after marriage, especially if he have to work for his own living and 
yours ? Nothing hardens the heart and cools the affections like an 
ever yawning purse, or diurnal repetitions of cold mutton or hash. 
Wl)y are you so sentimental ? Once secure comfort and money, and 
you'll soon find you can shift without love. 

Alice. I am not sentimental, mother. I know one cannot live with- 
out money, I am sure one can never be happy without love. Fred is 
not a poor man, mamma; he will have enough for us to live upon. 

Mrs. F. Live, you call it ? I call it vegetating. Why marry such 
a prospect when there's a man to your hand who would give you $5000 
a year, and the best of everything ? {Crossea to l). 

Alice (r. c.) Because I am not in love with luxuries. The large 
majority in the world must ever be content to "vegetate " as you call 
it. Why should I be blamed if, finding enough to live upon, I prefer 
those luxuries which never pale — love and cheerfulness in the home. 

Mrs. F. You are an incorrigible girl. This Quixotic humor of yours 
is simply obstinacy. Mr. Hawthorne has been absent a whole year, 
and for the last six months you have heard nothing of him, and yet 
you elect to throw away such a chance as few girls obtain. Mr. 
Wilding is a man of wealth and position. I have consulted our friend 
Mr. Careful, and he admits that you could make no better match. 

Alice (wnrmhj). Then Mr. Careful is very false, he always pro- 
fessed to be Fred's friend before he left us; biit lie is a lawyer, and so 
I suppose favors the client who can give the largest fee. 

Mrs. F. Now, now, child, if you are going to lose your temper, you 
had better retire to your room. (Snra)it iippears,' v.. v. E., and an- 
norinreft Mr. Careful). Show him in at once. Now. Alice, leava us 
together, for I wish to have a few words with our friend in private. 

Alice {going l. u. e.) After what you have just told me, I have no 
wish to meet him (returning). But, mamma dear.I wish you would not 
trouble yourself about my marriage. I would rather not marry. Why 
may I not continue to live with you happily, as we have always done. 

Mrs. F. Tush! child — go — no more words. It is my duty to try 
and secure for you some social position, and, notwithstanding your 
ingratitude, I will do my duty. (Exit Alice sadli/, l. u. e.) 

Enter r. u. e., Me. Careful. 

Mr. Careful. My dear Mrs. Fairfax, I hope my visit is not in- 
opportune. Ahem! I never do anything rash. Ahem! I hope I was 
mistaken. V)ut did not somebody leave the room as I entered? Excuse 
me, but I fear I interrupted a family confidence. I have so much re- 
spect for family confidences, you know. Mere force of habit, my dear 
madame, mere force of habit of course, since my retirement from pro- 
fessional pursuits. ' 



TRUE. f) 

Mrs. F. My dear old friend, I wish you to have more than a pass- 
ing interest in our family confidences. You know I have always con- 
sulted you. I wish nothing concealed from you. I want all the help 
which your wise and cautious head can give me. I am in a sad 
difficulty about my girl. You kuow, that little affair with young 
Hawthorne. 

Mk. C. [Steady, steady, mydear madame. "Little affair?" I under- 
stood it to be a serious and binding engagement. 

Mrs. V. Indeed, I assure you nothing but a foolish proceeding. I 
was wrong to let matters run on as far as tiiey appear to have reached. 
Unfortunately my dear Alice has worked herself into a most Quixotic 
and romantic humor over this decidedly handsome, but sadly impe- 
cunious young man. 

Mr. C. Steady, steady, my dear madame. It appeared to me that 
you yourself were very favorably disposed toward the young man, and 
did he not go abroad to cure his chronic impeeuniosity, and to make 
his fortune. 

Mrs. F. Oh, my dear sir, that is so extremely problematical. Long 
engagements are not healthy for young girls. Then you know an en- 
gineer's wife — I've seen the young man covered with smoke and black 
— such a dirty business. 

Mr. C. My dear madame, there's dirty business in every profession, 
not even tlie law excepted. Mr. Hawthorne has acquired a practical 
knowledge of mining operations. All the dirt in his business will 
wash off, ma'am. 

Mrs. F. But he may be seven years before he returns. I think it 
is high time my dear Alice was comfortably provided for. She has 
met with a chance which few girls obtain. Mr. Ernest Wilding, a 
gentleman of means, is sincerely in love with her, and prepared to 
lay his hand and fortune at her feet. Ought I, as a prudent mother, 
to allow her to throw away such a certainty for the sake of a chimera 
— a mere infatuation ? 

Mr. C. My dear madame, I make it a rule never to commit myself 
to an opinion on the spur of the moment. It is a very nice arrange- 
ment as it stands; there's only one trifling obstacle in the way, and 
that is, the state of the young lady's heart. From the little I know 
of her, I believe her to be an exceptional young lady, as the sex goes 
in this material age. She possesses two unpractical failings — womanly 
affections, and a sensitive organization. Her friends in society com- 
plain that she has no aesthetic tastes, and I have observed that she 
has not a keen eye for business — an indispensable qualification for a 
woman of the Nineteenth Century. 

Mrs. F. {offended). Then I am to understand that you favor her 
view of the matter? 

Mr. C. By no means, my dear Mrs. Fairfax. I only endorse your 
admirably keen insight as to her failings, though I will o\.n I feel 
sorry for poor Mr. Hawthorne, as I always entertained a lively ad- 
miration for that young gentleman's character. 

Mrs. F. But surely I have the right to dispose of my daughter's 
hand as I think proper ? 

Mr. C. Indisputably, dear madame. You have authority on your 
side. 

Servant enters R. u. E., and announces Mr. Wilding. 

Mrs. F. Most opportune. Show him up instantly. Now, Mr. Care- 



t) TRUE. 

fill, you shall judge for yourself whether I am capable of choosing my 
son-in-law. 

Mr. C. Dear madame, I never doubted your judgment, it was your 
daughter's I ventured to question. 

Enter R. u. e., Ernest "Wilding, spruce and handsome. 

Wilding. My dear Mrs. Fairfax, I hope this morning call is not 
inconvenient, but I have something important to communicate. {Bow- 
ing to Mr. Careful). I perceive you already have a visitor, though 
I hoped to find you alone. 

Mr. Careful bows, and comes down right corner. 

Mrs. F. This is Mr. Careful. Pray speak unreservedly before him, 
he is my oldest friend, and entirely in my confidence. Pray be seated. 

Wilding. That alters the case. You know, my dear madame, the 
one interest I have nearest to my heart. 

Mr. C. (aside). He's too cool. He'll overreach himself. These 
clever men generally do. 

Mrs. F. It would be ungrateful in me to pretend to misunderstand 
you. sii'. 

WiLDinG. My whole future happiness depends upon my obtaining 
your daughter's consent to be my wife. 

Mr. C. (aside). Nice confession from the man that Fred Hawthorne 
calls his dearest friend. I must be extremely cautious. 

Wilding. You have hitherto most kindly favored me; but Alice, I 
regret to say, still appears to entertain a rooted aversion to me. 

Mrs. F. Believe me, Mr. Wilding, her obstinacy in this matter oc- 
casions me the deepest distress. 

Mr. C. Excuse me. From what Mrs. Fairfax has been so good as 
to tell me, I think obstinacy is hardly the word. I am given to under- 
stand tliat the young lady's affections are already engaged. 

Wilding. I am aware, sir, that I have a rival, and it is a painful 
matter to me that the rival in question is my oldest friend (with energy). 
But sir, love is invincible, and — 

Mr. C. My dear sir, I can say no more. It is not my place to cross- 
examine you (icith meaning). (Then aside). Dear me! he's a nice 
aesthetic looking specimen of the old-fashioned article, hypocrite. 
(Goes up R.) 

Wilding (aside). T don't like this old gentleman's manner (to Mrs. 
F.) I cannot subdue my love for your daughter, madame. 

Mrs. F. (sotto vote). My old friend, it appears, was much taken 
with poor infatuated Mr. Hawthorne; but you, as his oldest friend, 
must know that he is not in a position to maintain a wife. 

Wilding. My dear Mrs. Farifax, that's just it. I feel Alice could 
never be happy with him. Fred has to work so hard, he ought not to 
think of marriage, it will ruin his prospects. He's too young, and the 
probability is that he will find some girl abroad more to his taste. 

Mrs. F, So I think. And indeed I believe it is always best for a 
girl to marry a man some j'ears her senior. 

Mu. C. (aside). A very pretty theory. They little think Pm "watch- 
ing the case" for young Hawthorne. He, he, he. (Chuckling) 

Mrs. F. Don't you agree with me, Mr. Careful? 

Mr. C. My dear madame, I can only hope Mr. Wilding fully ap- 
preciates the excellent wisdom of his future mother-in-law. I am only 
wondering if Miss Alice will rightly appreciate the earnest forethought 



being exercised on behalf of her fiitui*e happiness. Her case is in 
such excellent hands, that I feel any advice on my part would be 
superfluous and impertinent. Au rcvoir, my dear Mrs. Fairfax. I will 
look in later to learn the result of our consultation. Good-bye, Mr. 
Wilding. Allow me to congratulate you on your chances of obtaining 
so pretty a wife, and so excellent a mother-in-law. {Bowing pulUehj). 

Wilding {aside). This old gentleman makes me nervous. Pah ! 
He's only in his dotage. (Mrs. Fairfax rings the hell. Wilding 
talks apart to her). 

Mr. C. (aside, going K. 3 e). Now, I wonder if that girl will have 
the pluck to hold out? If not, all my caution goes for nothing. If 
she loves young Hawthorne as much as I believe she does, I've nothing 
to fear. This double-faced plutocrat has prepared some ruse wliieh I 
fancy I can fathom. At any rate, I've a little dynamic power in 
preparation for him, which will give him a shock like an " infernal 
macliine." {Exit n. u. E.) 

Mrs. F. I fully appreciate your motives of delicacy for the reputa- 
tion of your friend. I wish for no particulars. I trust you implicitly. 
I will send Alice to you. I hope you may prevail with her. It is my 
most earnest desire that she should be your wife. She knows my 
wislies in the matter. Do your best to win her consent; show her the 
folly of her infatuation. Depend upon it she will be grateful to us 
both one day. I am sure no woman could fail to be happy in the posi- 
tion which you can secure for her. {Exit R. u. e.) 

Wilding {opening the door and bowing her out). At last. Once your 
daughter my wife.oid lady, you shall have your coxr/e — there's nothing 
like an imposing appearance to befool these vain old harridans. I do 
love the girl honestly, better than I ever loved any woman before. 
She will open a new life for me. That is my only excuse. My love 
carries me on. I dare not think of what I am doing, for I feel then 
what a villain I am making of myself. Yet Fred was a fool to impose 
such a trust in me. If he really loved her he might have known that 
no mortal man could resist her exquisite charms. It's a desperate 
game I'm playing. Luckily I was able to persuade her mother to as- 
sist me by intercepting liis letters. Yet it is very strange that there 
was only one letter to intercept after we arranged the plan. Why did 
Fred cease writing? that seems unaccountable to me. However, it 
helps to bear out the little fiction I have here {tapping his breast 
pocket) prepared to subdue the unwilling object of my passion. I don't 
like that old gentleman — I remember Fred was precious thick with 
him before he left. Is it possible that the same mistrust of the mother, 
wliich prevailed upon him to confide so much to me, can have induced 
him to place the old boy on guard too? Pah! I've gone too far to re- 
cede. I care for nothing if I only win her. What if Fred have been 
warned 'I Even then there's time. If only I can work on her spirit, 
she'll man-y me off hand out of piqne. Then I'll carry her off amid 
scenes where she'll forget the past and learn to love me as if her old 
flame had never existed. 

{This solUnqmj must he spoken reflectively, but dramaticalh/, and not to 
the audience — the actor must pace the stage restlessly.) 

Enter AhiC'Eflrmh/, R. u. E. Down L. 

Alice {up r. aside). My mother insists upon my liearing what this 
hateful man has to say. (Aloud). Mr. Wilding, my mother has com- 



manded me to undergo an interview with you here. I will be candid 
at once and confess that this meeting is exceedingly painful to me. I 
hope you will have the kindness to cut it as short as possible. 

Wilding. Miss Fairfax, your words afford me little encouragement 
enough, but I cannot forego this last opportunity of pleading with 
you. I believe you can have no conception of the depth and sincerity 
of my love for you. In consequence of your 'inconcealed dislike for 
me I'have endeavored to stifle the passion which consumes me, but 
without avail. I cannot persuade myself but that your aversion for 
me will be short-lived. Surely, seeing that I have your mother's 
favor, I can be no bad match for you. I am fortunate in being able 
to offer you a comfortable and even luxurious home, a good social 
position, and with these a life which shall be devoted to obeying your 
slightest wish. What is it that you see iii me which leads you to 
imagine that anything but happiness could come of our union? 

Alice. Mr. Wilding, as I have before informed you, my heart is 
irrevocably given to another, and that other a man whose friend you 
once professed yourself to be. Yet to satisfy your own selfish passion 
you have not scrupled to use the influence, which by reason of your su- 
perior wealth and position, you have gained over my poor mother's too 
worldly mind, to induce me to play false to the man I love during his 
absence. You insult me by tliinking me capable of such unwomanly 
baseness. Ask yourself, sir, what your love can be worth which would 
lead you to marry and profess to respect a woman who could be 
capable of such despicable weakness. Not content yourself with being 
a traitorous friend you would prevail upon vie to play the traitor to 
the man whose wife I have pledged myself to be. 

Wilding. These are cruel words. Miss Fairfax. They evidently 
spring from your infatuation for an absent man, of whose prospects 
yon have no definite assurance and of whose fidelity even you can 
have no adequate proof. No wonder your mother is anxious lest your 
future happiness should be hopelessly wrecked. 

Alice {confemptnoushj). I do not wonder, sir, that with your ideas 
of love and honor, you should utterly fail to conceive the existence of 
such virtues as faith and trust. 

Wilding. Some degree of conviction at least is necessary to sustain 
one's faith. What if I could prove to you that the object'of your de- 
votion, the idol of your silent adoz-ation, is quite unworthy of the 
precious sacrifices you are preparing to offer? the hero of a woman's 
imagination is generally very poor flesh and blood to the clear-sighted 
eyes of the world at large. 

Alice. It is a poor love that runs no risks. If the man I love should 
prove unworthy of my affections, it is for me to make the discovery 
to my own satisfaction. I can owe nothing to malicious tale-bearing 
or ujimanly back-biting. 

Wilding. And this mistaken heroism leads you to believe only in 
the sincerity of one. You will wait imtil it is too late. Women early 
realize the fact that marriage at the best is but a comedy in prose- 
generally very dull prose, though it is preceded by a prologue in very 
pretty verse called courtship ; dazzled by its poetic glamor, they rush 
eagerly into the first act of the comedy only to discover that as tho 
play proceeds its tone changes. Instead of mirth and laughter they 
find dispeUed illusions, blighted hopes— ending perhaps in a wretched 
tragedy of broken hearts. 

Alice (a little hysterical). Aha — your words, sir, would be ridiculous 
if they were not so deeply offensive. 



THUE. 9 

Wilding (forcihli/). Ofrciisivp, 1)p<t.usc thoy proeep<l from tlio lips 
of one who loves you, thoiisili ho finds iii> fovor in your eves. 1 had 
hopeel to spare you jiain ; dut I Cm! yon olHiuvate— ("leaf to reason — ■ 
insensil.ilo ovon of jiistiee. 1 liave a li i!< r licre fi'dni the man yon love. 
{rnniiiciiuj ii). 'J'he man \\h(i v.as my Iririal til! the moment 1 read 
this, 'lili tlie nnancnt 1 read this n.i^rralih' aiit.lM;,-y (witli shame in 
beino- its riM-ipii'iil ) i was ]ire]>arcd to onisli down th'c f;reat passion of 
my life. Ihit afterwards 1 felt tliat my duty at the U-ast ^\as to try 
and save you. Koad, and wlien you see l;o\v all your hopes are 
wrecked — when you are east adrift aud drowuiiii;- in dcsptiir — perhaps 
you will deign to snateh the strav/ i offer you to save your honor. 
(G'/rfvv lier tlic letter, and /«r«« L. A.si/lc). ^ot a had hit of bombast 
that. Rather overdone, I'm afraid, like my imitation of his writing. 
Hope she won't detect the difference. 

Alick {frightened, trj/iiuj to read tetter. Goes R. ) "Lisbon, Dec. 
3rd, 1881." That's the place his last letter to we was dated from. "My 
dear Ernest, — I am afraid you will think I :im neglecting yon. I have 
been very busy ; though I am not progressing so well as I anticipated. 
But I have delayed writing, because I have a rather delicate matter 
to break to yoti. I almost despair of ever being able to raise enough 
money to satisfy the greedy claims of that worldly-minded ]V[rs. Fair- 
fax. Poor little Alice " — he speaks of me with contempt — " I almost 
wish I had not proceeded so far in that affair— I was too hasty. I may 
have to remain out here for years. I doubt if Alice be strong enough 
to share my hard life. If I see no belter prospect of realizing a for- 
tune, I shah not return to my home at all, but settle down here. I hope 
Alice will forget me. I am not worthy of her. I could not bear to 
make her miserable. I see no prospect in returning — while here, I may 
tell you in confidence, that I have attracted the favorable attention 
of a young and pretty Spanish girl, whose father has means, and who 
appears to regard me with especial favor. I shall esteem it a great 
proof of your friendship if you would gently, in due time, break it to 
Alice that I am not likely to return home at all. Tf the girl (as is 
verj- probable) has some of her mother's nature in her, she won't break 
her heart over such an niducky dog as yours faithfully, Fred. Haw- 
thorne." Great Heaven! Can be have written this heartless letter? 
If I can believe my eyes this is his writing. {Secretly pulling out her 
own letter, and comparing the u-riti>ig). The hand I loved so dearly. 
Oh! how everything seems passing away— there is nothing but pain. 
But this man here — he shall not see what I suffer. Base, cruel Fred. 
{Humhhj, hut firmhi). Mr. Wilding, I have read this 1 — letter. As you 
said just now, my hopes are WTecked, but I do not despair. I — {sobs 
coiinilsirehj)—! — I beg you to leave me — leave me at once. 

Wilding. I will not leave you till you give me some hope for the 
future. I have loved you so long and so dearly that I have a right to 
be heard. You are brave now ; but you know you will suffer from the 
treatment of this weak and worthless man. Alice, if you have a spark 
of r-i)irit in yon, be no longer unhappy; btit turn to one who is ready 
to devote his life to you, tind to wait patiently for that love which you 
now wiihiiold from him. 

Alice. Sir, I have no lack of pride. Believe me, from this moment 
Mr. Hawthorne will have no place in my heart, nor in my thoughts. 
But because the man I trusted with my earliest love has proved false 
and worthless, seems to me no reason that I should ally myself to one 
whom I loathe and despise. 

Wilding. You are heated, Miss Fairfax. You will repent your wordg 



10 TRUE. 

when you have to meet the sueers of the world for a jilted girl, and 
the reproaches of a kind mother, whose heart you will have broken. 

Enter Mrs. Fairfax r. u. e. 

Alice (■firmJij). Mr. Wilding, how dare you speak to me in this man- 
ner. You are a shallow schemer. I see through your plan. You hope 
to lead me to marry you out of jiique- I have heard of girls selling 
themselves to appease their outraged vanity. Such girls may have a 
proper pride, tliough they have no self-respect. I am not one of the.se. 
I wish for no more words on this hateful subject. You have made a 
mistake, Mr. Wilding, and I leave you to reflect upon it. {Goimj, meets 
Mrs. F. HI) R. c. Wilding dou-n l. c ) 

Mrs. F^{reganli)U) her stcnili/). Did I hear you rightly, Alice? I 
am amazed that you should dare to insidt a gentleman of Mr. Wild- 
ing's position with such reckless talk. You must be clean out of your 
senses. (Down R. 1. E. 

Alice (o« Jicr knees). Mother, dear, don't be hard upon me. We 
may be so happy together if you will only not be hard upon me. This 
man has shown "me reasons wliy Fred.— Mr. Hawthorne can never be 
anything to me now. Let me live happily witli you, mother dear; but 
do not ask rae to marry. I do not wish to be married. 

Mrs. F. .This is simply folly, child. You cannot remain single all 
your life. You cannot be happy with me, for I cannot forgive your 
gross insult to Mr. Wilding, who loves you sincerely, and is ready to 
sacrifice himself and to give you a home and position such as any girl 
in her senses would be deeply grateful for. 

Mr. Careful enters quietly, r. v. e., his face expresses satisfaction. 

Alice {rising). If it is your wish, mother, I will marry by-and-by — 
but at least allow me to select a man whom I can respect. 

Mrs. F. (angrih/). Alice!— Mr. Wilding, permit me to apologize for 
my daughter's unpardonable conduct. 

Mr. C. walks to window and gazes on the sea view. 

Wilding. Pray don't mention it. Under the circumstances it is 
natural that her feelings should run away with her. But perhaps I 
may be permitted to ask the young lady why she denies me her re- 
spect? {Bowing to Alice). 

Alice {firing up). Because I despise any man who attempts to buy 
a girl with his money, or attempts to entrap her into marrying liim 
by undciliand mi-ans. Because I believe a man, who is disloyal to his 
best fi'ieinl, to he incapable of bestowing happiness upon the woman 
he would mavry. Becauso tlie evidence he has given me of my be- 
trothed liusband's iiilith-lit y, is insufficient in ray eyes to convict him. 
IIow do I know but what this vilft letter may be a wicked forgery? 
Such a thing is not impossible. Mr. Hawtliorne is far away, and un- 
able to answer for himself. If he be capable of jilting me, and is base 
enough to do so, I will accept his renunciation only from his own lips. 
But no charges brought against his honor by interested people in his 
absence, shall ever persuade me to break my faith with him. 



TRUE. 11 

Wilding {losing his temper). Insult is all I might have expected 
from — 

Mks. F. {hotJii). Alice, your brazen impudence astonishes me. 

M.K. C. {c(»i)i)i(j (hunt c.) Steady, steady, good people. The young 
lady is bound to defend her own case. 

Mrs. F. Mr. Careful, you have no right to interfere between me 
and my child. 

Mr. C. Excuse me, madame, but I have voluntarily undertaken to 
watch the case for the defendant, and I move for a fair heai'ing. 

Alice {nidviutj towards Mr. C.) Oh! sir, have I not done right, have 
I not done right ? 

Mr. C. My dear, you have made out an excellent ease. 

Mrs. F. So, sir, you think fit to encourage my daughter in her re- 
bellion against ray will ? 

Mr. C, Not exactly, madame. My chief motive is to gain time. To 
my legal eye it appears that the court is unduly prejudiced against 
the defendant. Seeing this, I have thought fit to call an important 
witness in this case, wliose arrival I anticipate every moment. 

Wilding (aside). A witness ? what the deuce is he driving at? 

Mrs. F. Then, sir, you have abused the confidence I unwisely re- 
posed in you. 

Loud knocJcing, as affront door. Alice and Wilding both start. 

Mrs. F. Who on earth is that? 

Mr. C. "Don't be alarmed. It's only my witness, he is probably 
rather excited. Naturally so in my opinion. 

Alice (sotto voce). Who is it, Mr. Careful? (The others intent). 

• 

Servant enters R. u. e., and announces Mr. Hawthorne. 
Enter Fred rapidly, K. u. e. 

Alicti; (with a cry, running to him — her arms round him). It is he! 
Oh! Fred, Fred (Mrs. F. seems dnmhfoimded, up l. c. Wilding looks 
ashamed, doirn L. c), say ii is all false. Say you are true to me. 

Fred (kissing her). My darling. (Then fixing his eyes on Wilding). 
Ernest Wilding. It is not difficult for you to guess how I have heard 
of your despicable conduct. You have attempted to do me an injury 
which I can never forget. An injury, which, had it been accomplished, 
I could never forgive. You remember when we were boys at school 
together, how we settled our disputes. We will find a fitting spot, 
sir, and try conclusions over this matter, if you have any manhood 
left in you. 

Mr. C. Steady, steady, my boy, there are ladies present. 

Fred. I can't be polite over such a business as this. 

Wilding (crossing to r. u. e.) I will not fail you, Mr. Hawthorne. 
You have beaten me already ; but if love has made a coward of me, 
you shall find I am no cur. (To Alice). Miss Fairfax, for the sake 
of a hopeless love, I have sacrificed my friend. At least, do me the 
justice to believe now that I loved you earnestly. (Exit R. u. E.) 

Fred. He was just like that at school. 

Mr. C. Ah ! more pluck than principle. Let.us hope this will be a 
lesson to him. 



12 TRUE. 

Fred. Alice, we owe all to Mr. Careful; it was through his interee t 
in you that I was informed of all tliat was going on. It was he wlio 
advised me to cease writing to you, that he miglit judge how far that 
young villain would dare to go. It was he who advised me to come 
back. 

Mk. C. Ah ? but she was true. I knew she would be. Come, Mrs. 
Fairfax, take my advice, make the best of a good son-in-law. His 
prospects are none so bad, after all. 

Fred {coldly to Mrs. F.) I think even you, madame, will be satis- 
fied when I tell you that I have secured a berth worth $1500 a-ye:ir, 
with siire promotion to tlie post of Chief Engineer at $5000. 

Mr. C. [aside to Fred). Lucky dog, you've an excuse for "cutting 
your mother-in-law." Goes up and conxes Mrs. Fairfax). 

Fred. You never doubted me, darling? 

Alice. Never in my heart. It was hard to bear when you did not 
write, dear. But I could almost forgive Mr. Wilding for enabling me 
to prove how truly I love you. {Embrace, and slkjltt iiauf<e). 

Fred {looks at Iter tenderh/). The noblest quality of Love is to be 
true; for only the faithful sweetheart makes the faithful wife. {Em- 
brace, liing). 

Mb. C. showing picture to Mrs. F. 
[Curtain Quick.] 



DE WITT'S ACTIKG PLAYS. 



^v-f Ple&se notico t'jat nearly aU tUo Comeaies, Tarcca and Comediettas intlio following 
List of " De Witt's Acting Plays '" are very suitable for rcxn-esentatiou iu bmall Amateur 
Theatres and OU Parlor Stages, as they need but Lttle extrmsic aid from complex sceuery 
or expeusivo costumes. They have attained their deserved popularity by their droll situa- 
tions, excellent plots, great humor and brilliant dialogues, no less than by the fact that 
they are the most perfect iu every respect of any edition of plays ever published cither iu 
the United States or Europe, whether as legards purity of text, accuracy and fullness of 
stage directions and scenery, or elegance of typography aud clcarneBs of printing. 

* * In ordering jileaso copy the figures at the commencement of each piece, which 
indicate the number of the piece in '■ De Witts List of Acting Plats." 

jg®" Any of the following Plays eect, postage free, on receipt of price— fj/<ec>» Cents 
each. 



K^ The figure following the name of the Play denotes the number of Acts, 
figures Ja the columns indicate the number of characters— H. male; F. female. 



The 



75. Adrienne, drama, 3 acts 7 '•i 

231. All that Glitters is not Gold, comic 

drama, 2 acts " 3 

308, AU on Account of a Bracelet, come- 
dietta, 1 act 2 2 

IU. Any thiug for a Chauge,comedy.l act 3 3 
16Z. Apple Blossoms, comedy, 3 acts... 7 3 
93. Area Belle, farce. 1 act a 2 

40. Atchi, comedietta, 1 act 3 2 

89. Aunt Charlotte's Maid, larce, 1 act. 3 3 

258. Aunt Dinah's Pledge, temperance 

drama, 2 acts <> " 

237. Bachelor's Box (La Petite Hotel), 

comedietta, 1 act 4 1 

166. Bardell vs. Pickwick, sketch, 1 act. G 2 

310. Barrack Room (The), comediotU,'2a. C 2 

41. Beautiful Forever, larce, 1 act 2 2 

141. Bells (The), drama, 3 acts 9 3 

223. Betsey Baker, farce, 1 act 2 2 

67. Birthplace of Podgers, farce, 1 act.. 7 3 
36. Black Slieep, drama, 3 acta 7 6 

279. Black- liyed Su.'iaa, drama. 2 acts. . . 14 2 

296. Black and White, drama, 3 acts 6 3 

160. Blow for Blow, drama, 4 acts 11 6 

179. Breach of Promise, drama, 2 acta. . 5 2 
25. Biokeu-Hearted Club, comedietta.. 4 8 

70. Bonnie Fish Wife, farce, 1 act 3 1 

261. Bottle (The), drama, 2 acts 11 6 

226. Box and Cox, Romance.jJ act 2 1 

24. Cabman No. 93, farce, 1 Tct 2 2 

199. Captain of the Watch, comedietta, 

1 act 6 2 

1. Caste, comedy, 3 acts 6 3 

175. Cast upon the World, drama, 5 acts.ll 5 
55. Catharine Howard, historical play, 

3 acts 12 

69. Caught by the Cuff, farce. 1 act. :. . 4 

80. Charming Pair, farce, 1 act 4 3 

65. Checkmate, comedy, 2 acts C 5 

68. Chevalier de St. George, drama, 3a. 9 
tl9. Chimney Corner (The), domestic 

drama, 3 acts 5 2 

' 76. Chops of the Channel, farce.-l act.. 3 2 
J05. Circumstances alter Cases, comic 

operetta. 1 act 1 1 

149. Clouds, cimiedy, 4 acts. 8 7 

laL Gv/XuiCbi CouuteB's, terb^, 1 act. ...... 3 1 



I 



222. Cool as a Cucumber, farce, 1 act.. . . 8 2 

248. Cricket on the Hearth, diama, 3 acts 8 6 

107. Cupboard Love, farce, 1 act 2 1 

152. Cupid's Eye-Glass, comedy, 1 act.. 1 1 

52. Cup of Tea, comedietta, 1 act 3 1 

148, Cut Off with a Shilling, comedietta, 

1 act 2 1 

113. Cyril's Success, comedy, 5 acts 10 4 

20. Daddy Gray, drama, 3 acts 8 4 

286. Daisy Farm, drama, 4 acts 10 4 

4. Dandelion's Dodges, larce, 1 act... i 2 

22. David Garrick, comedy, 3 acts 8 3 

275. Day Alter the Wedding, larce, 1 act 4 3 

90. Dearest Mamma, comedietta, 1 act., i 3 

16. Dearer than Life, drama, 3 acts 6 5 

58. Deborah (Leah), diama, 3 acts 7 C 

125. Deerfoot, larce, 1 act 5 J 

71. Doing for the Best, drama, 2 acts. . 5 3 

U2. Dollars and Cents, comedy, 3 ads. . 9 4 

204. Drawing Boom Car(A).comedy,l act 2 1 

21. Dreams, drama, 6 acts.. 6 3 

200. Drunkard's Warning, drama, 3 acts 6 3 

240. Drunkard's Doom (The), drama, 2a.l5 5 

263. Drunkard (The), drama. 6 act.'? 13 5 

186. Duchess de la Valliere.play, 5 acts.. 6 4 

242. Dumb Belle (The), farce, 1 act 4 2 

47. Easy Shaving, farce. 1 act 5 2 

283, E. C B. Susan Jane, musical bur- 
lesque, 1 act 8 1 

202. Eileen Ope, Irish drama. 4 acts 11 3 

315. Electric Love, farce, 1 act 1 1 

297. English Gentleman (An), comedy- 
drama, 4 acts 7 4 

200. Estranged, operetta. 1 act 2 1 

135. Everybody's Friend, comedy, 3 acts 6 5 

230. Family Jars, musical farce, 2 acts.. 5 2 

103. Faust an<l Marguerite, drama. 3 acts 9 7 
9. Fearful Tragedy in the Seven Dials, 

interlude, 1 act 4 1 

128. Female Detective, drama, 3 acts 11 4 

iOl. Fernande. drama, 3 acts 11 10 

99. Fifth Wheel, comedy, 3 acts 10 2 

262, Fifteen Years of a Drunkard's Life, 

melodrama. '.? acts 13 4 

145. First Love, comedy. 1 act . 4 1 

102. Foiled, drama, 4 Jicts 9 3 

Sii. FotrtiUbil ifti FafctB, fatcf, 1 abt. Ii.'. . .4 i 



DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS. -Continued. 



M. F. 

Fruitsof tbe Wiue Cup, drama, 3cts G 3 109. 

Gamu <jf Cards (A), comedietta, la.. 3 1 85. 

(iai-ncU Fuvt-r, farce, 1 act 7 4 87, 

Cicrtnide'B .Money Box, laice, 1 act. 4 2 143. 

(jokleu i'eltcrb(Fettei-«a),di-ama, 3.1i 4 212. 
Goose with the Goldeu K^ys, tarce, 291, 

lact 5 3 210. 

Goto Piituey, tarce, 1 act 4 3 103. 

Good for Nothing, comic drama, la. 5 1 1,)4, 

Great Success (.A.), comedy, 3 acts.. 8 6 C3. 
Qrimsliaw, Bagsliaw aud liradsliaw, 249. 

farce, lact 1 2 208. 

Heir .\i)pareut (The), farce. 1 act... 6 1 

Handy .\udy, drama. 2 acts 10 3 

Happy Pair, comedietta, 1 act 1 1 

Hard Case (A), farce, 1 act 2 

Henrv Uunl)ar. drama, 4 acts 10 3 

Henry the Fifth, hist, play, 5 acts.. 38 5 

Her Only Fault, comedietta, lact.. 2 2 

He's a Lunatic, farce. 1 act 3 2 

Hidden Hand, drama, 4 acts 5 5 

Hii,'h C, comedietta, 1 act 3 3 

High Life Below Stairs, farce,2 acts. 9 5 

Hinko, romantic drama, 6 acts 12 7 

His Last Legs, farce, 2 acts 6 3 

His Own Enemy, farce, 1 act 5 1 

Home, comedy. 3 acts 4 3 

Honesty is the Best Policy, play, 1. 2 

Household Fairy, sketch, 1 act. ... 1 1 

Huntiu;,' the Slippers, farce, 1 act.. 4 1 

Hunchback (The), play, 5 acts 13 2 

Ici on Parle Francais, farce, 1 act... 3 4 

Idiot Witness, melodrama, 3 acts. .. 6 1 

If 1 hai a Thousand a Year, farce, 14 3 

I'm not .Alesilt at all, Irish stew, la. 3 2 

In for a Holiday, farce, 1 act. 2 3 

In tlie Wrong House, farce, 1 acr.. . 4 2 

trish Attorney (The), farce. 2 acts.. 8 2 

Irish Broom Maker, farce. 1 act ... 9 3 

Irishman in London, farce, 1 acts.. (1 3 

Irish Lion (The), farce. 1 act. 8 3 

Irish Post (The), drama. 1 act 9 3 

Irish Tutor (The), farce, 1 act 5 2 

Irish Tiger (The), farce, 1 act 5 1 

Irish Widow (The), farce, 2 acts. . . , 7 1 

Isal)ella Orsinl, dratna, 4 acts 11 4 

I Sliall Invite the Major, comedy, 14 1 

Jack Long, drama, 2 acts 9 2 

loan of Arc, hist play, .'5 acts 26 6 

•Joy is Dangerous, comedy. 2 acts, . 3 3 

Kind to a Fault, comedy. 2 acts. ... 6 4 
Kis^ in the Dark (A), farce, 1 act.. ..23 

Ladies' Battle (The), comedy, 3 acts 7 2 

Lady of Lyons, play, 5 acta 12 S 

L'.Vrlicle 47, drama, 3 acts 11 5 

Lame Excuse, farce, 1 act 4 2 

Laui-iishire Lass, melodrama, 4 acts. 12 3 

f,arli.ins' Love Letters. f;irce. 1 act.. 3 2 

r, an Year, musical duality, 1 act....l 1 

[, ':i 1 Mo Five Shillings, farce, 1 act 5 3 

L ar (Tin), comedy, 2 acts 7 2 

LifeCliase. drama, 5 acts 14 5 

Linunic'u Bov (The), farce. 1 act .5 2 

Little Annie's Birthday, farce, 1 act..2 4 

Litt'e Rcliel, farce, 1 act 4 3 1 172, 

Little Ruby, drama, 3 acts 6 f> 1 94 

Little Em'l v; drama, '4 acts 8 8 : iH. 

T^ivin" RIatne (Tbe). farce.'l •act.-. . . 8 2 1 1.5s 

L;iau of a Lover (The), vaodovtUi.l. 4 1 178 



Locked iu, comedietta, 1 act i 

Locked in with a Lady, sketch 1 

Locked Out, comic scene ] 

Lodgers and Dodgers, larce, 1 act. . 4 
London Assuraute, comeuy, 6 acts. 10 

M. P., comedy, 4 a<tb 7 

Mabel's Wauceuvre, interlude, 1 act 1 

Marcoretti, drama, 3 acts 10 

Maria aud Magda'.ena, play, 4 acts. . 8 
Marriage at any Price, larce, ] act.. 5 
JIarriage a Lottery, comedy, 2 acts. 3 
Married Bachelors, comedietta, la.. 3 
Master Jones' Birthday, farce, 1 act 4 

Maud's Peril, drama, 4 acts 5 

Midnight Watch, drama, 1 act 8 

Milky White, drama, 2 acts 4 

Blinam's Crime, drama, 3 acts 6 

Model ofa Wife, larce, 1 act 3 

Model Pfir (A), comedy, 1 act 2 

Money, comedy, 5 acts 17 

More Blunders than One, farce, la. 4 
More Sinned against than Sinning, 

original Irish drama, 4 acts 11 

Morning Call (A), comedieita, 1 act. 1 

Mr. Scropgius. larce, 1 act 3 

Mr. X., farce, 1 act 3 

My Uncle's Snit, farce. 1 »-.:t 4 

My Neighbor's Wife, farce, 1 act 3 

My Turn Next, farce, 1 act 4 

My Walking Photograph, musical 

duality, 1 act 1 

My Wife's Bonnet, farce. ] act 3 

My Wife's Diarv. farce, 1 act 3 

JMy Wife's Out,'faiTe, 1 act 2 

Naval Engagements, farce, 2 acts. .. 4 
Never Reckon your Chickens, etc., 

farce. 1 act 3 

New Men and Old Acres, comedy, 3 8 

Nobody's Child, drama, 3 acts 18 

Noemie, drama, 2 acts 4 

No Name, drama. 5 acts 7 

Not a bit Jealous, tarce, 1 act 3 

Not if I Know It, larce. 1 act 4 

Not so bad as we Seem, play, 5 acts.] 3 

Not Guilty, drama, 4 acts 10 

Not such a Fool as he Looks, drama, 

3 acts 5 

Nothing like Paste, farce, 1 act. ... 3 
No Thoroughfare, drama, 5 acts. . . 13 

Notre Dame, di-ama, 3 acts 11 

Object of Interest (An), larce, 1 act, 4 
Obstinate Family (The), farce, 1 act. 3 
Off the Stage, comedietta. 1 act.... 3 

Omnibus (The), farce, 1 act 6 

On Bread and Water, farce. 1 act. .. 1 

One Too Many, farce, 1 act 4 

One Too Many for Him, larce, 1 act 2 

£100,000. comedy, 3 acts 8 

Only a Hallpenny, farce, lact 2 

Only Somebody, farce, 1 act 4 

On the Jury, drama. 4 acts 5 

Orange Blo'ssoms, comedietta, 1 act 3 

Orange Girl, drama. 4 acts 18 

Othello, tragedy, 5 acts 10 

Ours, comedy, 3 acts 6 

Our Clerks, farce, 1 act 7 

Our Domestics, cnmedy-farcer, 5 acts fi 
Our Heroes, military })Wy, 5 acts.. :.21 
Out at Sea, draiiia, 5 act;?. . .: 17 



DE WITT'S ACTING PLAYS-Continued. 



M. F. 

l47. Overland Koute, comedy, 3 acts 11 5 

305, Pair of Shoes (A), larce, 1 act i 3 

i285. Partuers tor Late, coiueily, 3 acts 7 i 

156. Peace at auy Price, laree, 1 act 1 1 

82. Peep o' Uay, drama, i acts 12 i 

127. Peggy Green, larce, 1 act 3 10 

23. Petticoat Parliameut, extravagauza, 

1 act 15 2^ 

293. Philomel, romautic drama, 3 acts... G 4 

62. Photographic l''ix, farce, 1 act 3 2 

61. Plot aud Passiou, drama, 3 acts. ... 7 2 

138. Poll and Partner Joe, burlesqe, la.. 10 3 

217. Pooi- PiUicoddy, farce, 1 act 2 3 

110. Poppletou's Predicaments, farce, la. 3 6 

50. Porter's Knot, drama, 2 acts 8 2 

59. Post Bov, drama. 2 acts 5 3 

95. Pretty Horse-Breaker, farce 3 10 

•iHO. Pretty Piece of Business (A), come- 
dy, 1 act 2 3 

181. 182. Queen Mary, drama, 4 acts 37 9 

196. Queerest Courtship (The), comic 

operetta, 1 act 1 1 

255. Quiet Family, farce, 1 act 4 4 

157. Quite at Home, comedietta, 1 act... 5 2 

132. Kace for a Dinner, farce, 1 act 10 

237. Regular Fix (A), farce, 1 act 6 4 

183. Richelieu, play, 5 acts 12 2 

38. Rightful Heir, drama, 5 acts 10 2 

77. Roll of the Drum, drama, 3 acts 8 4 

316. Romeo on the Gridiron (A), mono- 
logue, for a lady 1 

195. Rotiemi Shell, burlesque, 4 scenes.. 6 3 

247. Rough Diamond (The), farce, 1 act. 6 3 

VJi. Rum, drama, 3 acts 7 4 

l;!. Ruy Bias, drama, 4 acts 12 4 

2J9. Sarah's Young Man, farce, 1 act 3 3 

158. School, comedy, 4 acts, 6 G 

201. School for Scandal, comedy, 5 acts. .13 4 

264. Scrap of Paper (A), comic drama, 3a. 6 G 

79. Sheep in Wolf's Clothing, drama, la 7 5 

203. She Stoops to Conquer, comedy, 5a.l5 4 

37. Silent Protector, farce, 1 act , 3 2 

35. Silent Woman, farce, 1 act 2 1 

313. Single Married Man (A), comic ope- 
retta, 1 act 6 2 

43. Sisterly Service, comedietta, 1 act.. 7 2 

6. Six Mouths Ago, comedietta*, 1 act.. 2 1 

221. Slasher aud Crasher, farce.. 1 act... 5 2 

10. Snapping Turtles, duologue, 1 act. . .1 1 

26. Society, comedy, 3 acts 16 5 

207. Sold Again, comic operetta, 1 act... 3 1 

304. Sparking, comedietta., 1 act 1 2 

78. Special Performances, farce. 1 act. . 7 3 
215. Still Waters Bun Deep, comedy, 3a. 9 2 
'J-"6. .Sweethearts, dramatic contrast, 2a.. 2 2 
232. Tail (Tale) of a Shark, musical mon- 
ologue, 1 scene. 1 

31. Taming a Tiger, farce, 1 act ...... 3 

150. Tell-Tale Heart, comedietta. 1 act.. 1 2 

120. Tempest in a Teapot, comedy, 1 act 2 1 



M.I 

237. Ten Nights in a Bar Room, drama, 

5 acts 8 '^ 

146. There's no Smoke without Fire, 

comedietta, 1 act 1 2 

83. Thrice Married, personation piece, 

1 act 6 1 

245. Thumping Legacy (A), 1 act 7 1 

251. Ticket of Leave Man, drama, 4 acts. 9 3 

42. Time aiul the Hour, drama. 3 acts. 7 3 

27. Time aud Tule, drama, 4 acts 7 6 

133. Timothy to tbo Rescue, farce, 1 act 4 2 
l*i. ''lis Better to Live than to Die, 

farce, 1 act 2 1 

134. Tompkins the Troubadour, farce. 1. 3 2 

272. Toodles (The), drama, 2 acts 10 2 

235 To Oblige Benson, comedietta, 1 act 3 2 

238 Trying It On, larce, 1 act 3 3 

2!7 Turning the I'ables. farce, 1 act. ..53 

214. Turn Him Out. farce. 1 act 3 2 

ICf". Tweedie's Bi-hts, comedy, 2 acts. . 4 2 

126. Twice Killed, farce, 1 act 6 3 

231. 'Twixt Axe aud Crown, play, 5 acts.21 13 

198. Twin Sisters, comic operetta. 1 act. 2 2 

ir,5. Two Bonnycastl.s, farce, 1 act 3 3 

220. Two Buzzards (The), farce, 1 act. ... 3 2 

66. Two Gay Deceiveis, face, 1 act 3 

J 23. Two Pol ts, farce, 1 act 4 4 

2H8. Two Roses (The), comedy. 3 acts. ..74 

:>92. Two Thorns (The), comedy, 4 acts.. 9 4 

294. Uncle Dick's Darling, drama, 3 acts 6 5 

1(!2. Uncle's Will, comedietta. 1 act 2 1 

106. Up for the Cattle Show, farce, 1 act 6 2 

81. Vandyke Brown, farce, 1 act 3 3 

317. Veteran of 1812 (The), romantic mil- 
itary drama, 5 acis 12 2 

124. Volunteer Review, farce, 1 act 6 6 

91. Walpole, comedy In rhyme 7 2 

118. Wanted, a Young Lady, farce. 1 act. 2 1 
231. Wauted, One Thousand Spirited 
Young Milliners for the Gold Re- 
gions, farce, 1 act 3 7 

44. War to to the Knife, comedy. 3 acts 5 4 

311. What Tears can do. comedietta, la.. 3 2 
105. Which of the Two? comedietta, la.. 2 10 

266. Who Killed Cock Robin? farce, 2a.. 2 2 

98. Who is Who ? larce 3 2 

12. Widow Hunt, comedy, 3 acts 4 4 

213. Widow (The), comedy, 3 acts 7 6 

5. William Tell with a Vengeance, bur- 
lesque 8 2 

„,. (Window Curtain, monologue 1 

^^*- I Circumstantial Evidence " .... 1 

136. Woman in Red, drnma, 4 acts G 8 

161. Woman's Vows and Masons' Oaths, 

drama, 4 acts 10 4 

11. Woodcock's Little Game, farce. 2a.. 4 i 
290. Wrong ]\Iau in the Right Place (A), 

farce, 1 art 2 3 

54. Young Collegian, farce, 1 act 3 2 



A COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF DE 'WITT'S ACT- 
'ING PLAYS AND DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS, 
containing Plot, Costume, Scenery, Time of.Representatipn, and all other informa- 
tion, mailed free and post paid on application. Address 

BE WITT, 33 Koste l^frcet, New Yb>k. 



UE WITT'S DRAWING-ROOM OPERETTAS, 



1^- TO MUSICAL AMATEURS. _^1 

The number of Musical Amateurs, both ladies and gentlemen, is not only tiery 
farje, but is constandi/ increasing, and very naturally, for there is no more re~ 
fined and jileasant mode of spending leisure hours than in singing and playing the 
choice productions of the best Composers. Hitherto there has been an almost total 
i xk of suitable pieces adapted to an evening's entertainment in Parlors by Amateurs. 
ilf course whole Operas, or even parts of Operas, require o.'chestral accompani- 
i.euts and full choruses to give them effect, and are tlierefore clearly unfit for 
Amateur peiformance, while a succession of songs lacks the interest given by a 
plot and a contrast <rf characters. In this series (a list of which i* given beloiv) we 
hav« endeavored to supply this want. The best Music of popvlar Cymimsers is wed- 
ded to a])propriate words, and the whole dovetailed into plots that are effective as 
mere petite plays, but are rendered doubly interesting by the appropriate and beau- 
tifid Music, si)ecially arranged for tliem. 



LIST OF DE WITT'S MUSICAL PLAYS. 

PRICE 15 CENTS EACH. 



GEAP YEAE.— A Musical Dual- 
ity. By Alfkei) U. Sedgwick. Mu- 
sic ^ok•cted aud .'idapted from Or- 
FEN'BACi£"s celebrated Opera, " Gene- 
riere de h/'atxint." One Male, one 
Female Ciiaracter. 

THE TWJlf SISTEES-Comic 

Operetta, in One Act. The Music 
Kjle -to.l from tlie most popular luim- 
bors in Li; t <>( c^s celebrated Opera 
Bouffi', '• Oiiv/tJ Oirofla," and tlic 
LibfL'tto writtc.i by Alfued B. Seug- 
wiciv. Two Male, Two Female 
C lardcters. 

SOLD \'lATiI AND GOT THE 

MONEV.— Comic Operetta, in One 
Act. Tir! Music compo.sed and the 
Libretto writte^i by Alfhed B. Sedg- 
wicii. Taree Male, One Female 
Ciiaracter. 

THE QUEEUEST OOTJBTSHIP. 

— Conic Operetta, iu One Act. The 
Music arran<;ed from Offenbach's 
cel'fbrated Opera, " La Pnncesse de 
, Trehizonde:' aud the Libretto writ- 
ter. by Alfhed B. SEDOWicii. One 
Male," One Female Character. 



ESTEANGED.— An Operetta, in 
One Act, The Musis arranged from 
Vekdi's celebrated 0[)era, '• 11 7'/vv- 
alore." and the feibretto adapted by 
Ai.FUED B. Sedgwick. Tao Male, 
Ouc Female Character. 

OIEOUMSTAITCES ALTEE 

CASES.— Comic, Operetta, iu One 
Act, The music composed and the 
Libretto written by Alfhed B.Sedg- 
wick. One Male, Ouc Female Char- 
acter. 

MY WALKING PHOTOGEAPE 

— Musical Duality, in One Act. The 
Music arranged from Le Cocq's 
Opera, "La Fille de Madame Angot,^'' 
and the Libretto written by A? fued 
B. Sedgwick. One Male, One Fe- 
male Character. 

A SINGLE MAEEIED MAN- 

Comic Operetta, in One Act. The 
Music arransed from Offenbach's 
celebrated Opera Bouffe, " Madame 
V ArchidxcC and the Libretto writ- 
ten by Alpked B. Sedgwick. Six 
Male, Two Female Chai actcrs. 



UOLLY MOEIAETY. -An Irish 
Musical Sketch, in One Act The 
Music composed and the Dialogue 
written by Alfred B. Sedgwick. 
On,' Male, one Female Character. 
Sniiable for tlic Variety Stage. 

"Tl -)1YEG7j 07 THE HASH 

UUiuADB -A Comic Irish Musical 
Sketc 1 The..Mii<ie composed and 
t'le Lit)rofio wrirr.u by Joseph P 
;-^\:;i.i,v. Two Mal(j. two Femali 



ii^ts^te^' 



GAMBEINTJS. KING OF LAGEE 

BEEU.— A Musical Ethiopian Bur- 
lesque, iu One Act. Music aud Dia- 
logue by Frank Dumont. Eight 
Male, one Female Character. Suita- 
ble for the Ethiopian Stage. 

ATEIOANTJS BLUEBEAED.-A 

Musical Ethioi)ian Burlesque, in One 
Act. Mu=ic and Dialogue by Frank 
DcMONT. Four Male, four FemaU 
Cbaructera Suitftbte lt>r Uie EUao^ 



m WITT'8 ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMA.-Continued. 



M. F. 

Jealous Husband, sketch 2 1 

Juuuts tae Hiji^o/ier. burlesque, 3 se. 6 1 
Katnua's Little G;iuie, Dutch act, 

1 sceue 1 1 

Last of the Mohicaus, sketch 3 1 

Laughing Gas, sketch, 1 sceue 6 1 

Live lujuu, sketch, 4 sceues 4 1 

Lost Will, sketch 4 

Lucky Job, farce, 2 scenes 3 2 

Luuatic (The), farce, 1 sceue 3 

Makiug a Hit, farce, 2 sceues 4 

Malicious Trespass, sketch, 1 sceue. 3 
'Meriky, Ethiopiau farce, 1 sceue... 3 1 
Micky Free, Irish sketch, 1 sceue.. 5 
Midnight Intruder, farce, 1 sceue . 6 1 
Milliner's Shop (The), Ethiopian 

sketch, 1 sceue 2 2 

Moko Marionettes, Ethiopian eccen- 
tricity, 2 scenes 4 5 

Molly Moriarty, Irish musical 

sketch, 1 scene 1 1 

Motor Bellows, comedy, 1 act 4 

Musical Servant, sketch, 1 sceue 3 

Mutton Trial, sketch, 2 scenes .... 4 
MyWife'sVisitors, comic drania,lsc. 6 1 
Night in a Strange Hotel, sketch, Isc. 2 
Noble Savage. Ethi'u sketch, 1 sc. .. 4 
No Pay No Cure, Ethi'n sketch, 1 sc. 5 

Obeying Orders, sketch, 1 scene 2 1 

100th Night of Hamlet, sketch 7 1 

Oh, Hush ! operatic olio 4 1 

Oue Night iu a Bar Room, sketch . . 7 
One Night in a Medical College, 

Ethiopian sketch, 1 scene 7 1 

Oue, Two, Three, sketch, 1 scene. 7 
Painter's Apprentice, farce, 1 scene. 5 
Pete and the Peddler, Negro and 

Irish sketch, 1 sceue 2 1 

Pleasant Companions, Ethiopian 

sketch, 1 scene 5 1 

Polar Bear (The), farce, 1 scene 4 1 

Policy Players, sketch, 1 scene 7 

Pompey's Patients, interlude, 2 sc, 6 
Porter's Troubles, sketch, 1 scene. . 6 1 

Port Wine vs. Jealousy, sketch 2 1 

Private Boarding, comed.v, 1 scene. 2 3 

Recruiting Office, sketch, I act 5 

Rehearsal (The). Irish farce, 2 sc. . . 3 1 
Remittance from Home, sketch. 1 sc. 6 
Rigging a Purchase, sketch, 1 sc... 3 



1 

M. F. 

81. Rival Artists, sketch, 1 scene 4 

26. Rival Tenants, sketch 4 

13S. Rival Barbers' SUops (The), Ethio- 
pian Jaice, 1 sceue 6 1 

15. Sam's Courtship, farce, 1 act 2 1 

5y. Sausage Makers, sketch, 2 scenes. . 5 1 

21. Scampiui, pautomiuie, 2 sceues 3 3 

80. Scenes on the Mississippi, sketch, 

2 scenes.. . . 6 

84. Serenade (The), sketch, 2 scenes.. . . 7 
as. Siamese Twins, sketch, 2 sceues. ... 5 

74. Sleep Walker, sketch, 2 sceues 3 

415. Slippery Day, .sketch. 1 sceue 6 1 

69. Squire lor a Day, sketch 5 1 

56. Stage-struck Couple, interlude, 1 sc. 2 1 

72. Stranger, burlesque, 1 scene 1 2 | 

13. Streets of New York, sketch, 1 sa . ! 6 | 

16. Storming the Fort, sketch, 1 sceue. 5 
7. Stupid Servant, sketch, 1 sceue 2 

121. Stocks Up ! Stocks Down ! Negro 

duologue, 1 sceue 2 

47. Take It, Don't Take It, sketch, 1 sc. 2 

54. Them Papers, sketch, 1 sceue 3 

100. Three Chiefs (The), sketch, 1 sceue. 6 

102. Three A. M., sketch, 2 scenes 3 1 

34. Three Strings to one Bow, sketch, 

1 sceue 4 1 

122. Ticket Taker. Ethi'u farce, 1 scene. 3 

2. Tricks, sketch 5 2 

104. Two Avvfuls (The), sketch, 1 scene.. 5 
5. Two Black Roses, sketch 4 1 

28. Uncle Eph's Dream, sketch, 2 sc. . . 3 1 
134. Unlimited Cheek, sketch. 1 sceue ..41 

62. Vinegar Bitters, sketch, 1 sceue 6 1 

32. Wake up, William Heurv sketch... 3 
39. Wauted, a Nurse, sketei;, 1 scene. 4 

75. Weston, the Walki.-t. luit.h sketch, 

1 scene 7 1 

P3. What shall I Take? sketch. 1 sceue. 7 1 

29. Who Died First ? sketch, 1 scene.. . 3 1 
97. Who's the Actor? farce, 1 scene. ... 4 

137. Whose Baby is it? Ethiopian sketch, 

1 scene 2 1 

143. Wonderful Telephone (The), Ethio- 
pian sketch, 1 scene 4 1 

99. Wrong Woman iu the Right Place. 

sketch, 2 scenes 2 2 

8^. Young Scamp, sketch, 1 scene.. 3 

116. Zacharias' Funeral, farce, 1 scene.. 5 



A COMPLETE DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF DE WITT'S ACT- 
ING PLAYS AND DE WITT'S ETHIOPIAN AND COMIC DRAMAS, 
containing Plot, Costume, Scenery. Time of Representation, and all other informa- 
tion, mailed free and post paid on application. Address 



DE WITT, Publisher, 

33 Rose Street, New York. 



M Inflispnsalilfi Book I 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 

016 103 568 3 

Ul AUIQIDIUD. 



HOW TO MAHAaE 
AMATEUR THEATRICALS. 



Being plain instructions for construction and arrano^ement of Stage, 
making Scenery, getting up Costumes, ^^ Making Up" to represent 
different ages and characters, and how to produce stage Illusions and 
Effects. Also hints for the management of Amateur Dramatic Clubs, 
and a list of pieces suitable for Drawing Room Performances. Hand- 
somely illustrated with Colored Plates. 

Price, 25 Cents. 



DE WITT'S SELECTIONS 

FOR 

MTEDR Al PARLOR THEATRICALS. 

Nos. 1, 2, 3 & 4. 

Being choice selections from the very best Dramas, Comedies and 
Farces. Specially adapted for presentation by Amateurs, and for 
Parlor and Drawing Room Entertainments. 

Each number, 25 Cents. 

PANTOMME PLAY , 

'^HUMPTY DUMPTY." 

The celebrated Pantomime, as originally played for 1,000 nights by the 
late George L. Fox. Arranged by John Denier, Esq. Eight male, 
four female characters. 

Price, 25 Cents, 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ^ 

iiiiiiii'iiiiiiriiini'iiiiiMii 



016 103 568 3 



